Ben claims gold at World Judo Championships

A UNIVERSITY of Chichester student has won gold at the World Judo Championships for a second consecutive year.

Ben Quilter, 29, who is studying for a masters degree in sport and exercise physiology, won gold in the 60kg weight category, a result which makes him the No1 seed going into next year’s London Paralympics.

He combines his training at the British Judo Performance Institute with studying at the Bishop Otter Campus.

In 2010, he became Britain’s first visually-impaired judo champion for 12 years, but he said he found retaining the title a different experience.

Quilter said: “While I’m pleased to have won the event, I’ve not experienced the same euphoria as when I won first time around.

“I didn’t perform as well as I know I can, but I think that’s because my opponents knew I was world champion and concentrated on being defensive against me rather than trying to beat me.

“Having said that, if I can win a world championship when I’m not at my best, that can only be a good thing!”

The final major competition before next year’s Paralympics is the European Championships in November, which will be held in Crawley. Quilter claimed silver last year and will be hoping to go one better this time around.

In the coming months, he will also be spending time working with fellow athletes from GB Judo as part of his masters degree.

“I’m doing a weight manipulation study, which will involve working with judo players to monitor their fluid balance, how this affects their ability to make their weight, and how to maintain their hydration status once they have made their weight,” he added.